THOUSANDS of people crowded into Chester’s Roman amphitheatre on Saturday to watch the city’s spectacular contribution to the UK’s BBC Music Nation weekend.

The city’s contribution to the initiative – a countdown event to the London 2012 Festival, the finale of the Cultural Olympiad – saw more than 700 singers, dancers, musicians and giants, led by women’s choir A Handbag of Harmonies, performed an original anthem composed by Chester’s Matt Baker and Helen Newall.

Matt said: “The anthem brought together the exuberance of the Handbags, the talent of the musicians, the passion of the dancers and the rousing voices of so many choirs, to create something quite wonderful.”

Live footage from the event was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and photographs, Twitter and Facebook comments from Chester appeared throughout the day on a BBC Music Nation blog.

Matt added: “Seeing Chester’s world premiere being talked about alongside the Karl Jenkins’s world premiere in Cardiff made us all feel very proud to be part of this unique weekend.”

GB Paralympian footballer Matthew Dimbylow was in the audience to watch his daughter Lauren, 10, a pupil of Sandiway Primary School.

He said: “The whole thing was truly amazing. To be honest, there was a tear in my eye and the words of the song really made me refocus on 2012. I was ready to go out and run miles.

“The themes ‘be the best that you can be’ and ‘go for gold’ are what the Games are all about.

“Imagine as an athlete, coming out to that song. It would be brilliant and I think it could be the official anthem of the Games!”

Pat Tripney, a member of the Ellesmere Port Fireflies choir, said: “Being part of such a huge community event was the best thing.”

The performance was attended by Lord Mayor of Chester Cllr Eleanor Johnson, MP Stephen Mosley and Cllr Mike Jones, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council.